Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

This research was one of the first longitudinal studies to determine the effectiveness of a computerized infant simulator as a deterrent to adolescent pregnancy. All of the female eighth-grade students (221) in 1994-1995 and 1995-1996 from a suburban North Texas middle school were part of this study. They were tracked from the eighth grade through high school graduation to determine whether and when pregnancies occurred. The Kaplan-Meier procedure for survival analysis was used to determine test statistics. Survival functions and hazard functions were created for each independent variable--parenting the infant simulator, ethnic and racial, involvement in co-curricular activities, and crime. Results showed the computerized infant simulator to be highly effective in postponing the on-set of pregnancies for those students who participated in the parenting simulation. Hazards peaked at 3 years, 2 months for the experimental group and at 2 years, 21/2 months for the control group. Summertime and holiday seasons marked times of the year when the majority of pregnancies occurred. Caucasians peaked before the Other ethnic group. No significant differences were detected in regard to involvement in co-curricular activities, and no involvement in crime was self-reported. The model was developed to use as a guideline for implementing a pregnancy prevention unit in schools. This model could be used by Family and Consumer Sciences classes, teen pregnancy prevention programs, childbirth preparation classes, at-risk student programs, substance abuse intervention programs, and religious education classes.

Title: Biomechanical reflection of the cervicocranial part during frontal impact Objectives: The aim of the work was to analyze in which parameters differs ATD from human participant during frontal impact. Characterize the head movement, compare maximal post impact head speed between ATD and human volunteers and defereneces between volunteer with eye control and without. Methods: Measuring was done with 8 volunteers and ATD (Manikin, 50th percentile man). For each volunteer were done two measurements, first without eye control and second with eye control. ATD was measured twice. It was recorded by Qualisys system, specifically by three optical cameras, on crash simulator. Results were processed in Qualisys Track Manager. There were tracked three markers, two on the body - forehead, shoulder and one on the sledge. Results: Results showed that speed of the head depends on eye control. Volunteer without eye control had higher post impact speed of head (4,94 m/s) than ATD (3,67 m/s) and volunteer with eye contact (3,19 m/s). Quite the same result was observed in change of distance between head and sledge after impact. There was higher value for volunteer without eye contact than for ATD. Keywords: Whiplash, frontal impact, Qualisys, crash simulator, cervicocranial part

Context: Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) is a form of ad-hoc network with flexible backhaul infrastructure and configuration, provides adaptive wireless internet connectivity to end users with high reliability. WMN is a wireless network consisting of mesh clients, mesh routers and gateways which are organized in a mesh topology with decentralized nature can consume more energy for data transmission. The networking performance of WMNs can be degraded due to the fact of high energy consumption for data transmission. Therefore, energy efficiency is the primary factor for attaining eminent performance. Organizing efficient routing and proper resource allocation can save huge amount of energy. Objectives: The main goal of this thesis is to reduce the energy consumption in WMNs. To do this, a new energy efficient routing algorithm is suggested. Adaptive rates based on rate allocation strategy and end to end delay metric are used mainly for optimal path selection in routing, which may in turn reduces the resource utilization and energy consumption. Method: An energy efficient routing algorithm is implemented by using the Ad hoc OnDemand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocol. The RREQ packet in AODV is modified by adding a new field known as delay parameter which measures end to end delay between nodes. Adaptive rates obtained from Rate allocation policy are considered in the routing process to reduce energy consumption in the network. Energy measurement of the WMN and its performance is evaluated by measuring the metrics such as Throughput, End-to-End delay, Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR). For performing the simulation process, in this thesis, Network Simulator - 3 (NS-3) which is an open source discrete-event network simulator in which simulation models can be executed in C++ and Python is used. Using NetAnim-3.107 animator in NS-3-25.1, traffic flows between all the nodes are displayed. Results: The results are taken for existing algorithm and proposed algorithm for 25,50,75 and 100 nodes. Comparison of results shows that the total energy consumption is reduced for proposed algorithm for in all four scenarios. Conclusion: Energy efficient routing algorithm is implemented in different scenarios of radio access networks and energy is saved. Due to this algorithm even the performance metrics, Throughput, End-to-End delay, Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR) have shown eminent performance.

The basic idea deals with detecting the voltage collapse ahead of time to provide the operators a lead time for remedial actions and for possible prevention of blackouts. To detect cases of voltage collapse, we shall create methods using pattern recognition in conjunction with real time simulation of case studies and shall develop heuristic methods for separating voltage stable cases from voltage unstable cases that result in response to system contingencies and faults. Using Real Time Simulator in Entergy-UNO Power & Energy Research Laboratory, we shall simulate several contingencies on IEEE 39-Bus Test System and compile the results in two categories of stable and unstable voltage cases. The second stage of the proposed work mainly deals with the study of different patterns of voltage using artificial neural networks. The final stage deals with the training of the controllers in order to detect stability of power system in advance.

A real-time simulator (RTS) with digital and analog input/output modules is used to conduct hardware-in-the-loop simulations to evaluate performance of power system equipment such as protective relays by exposing the equipment to the simulated realistic operating conditions. This work investigates the use of RTS to test relays with single-pole-switching (SPS) feature. Single-pole switching can cause misoperations due to fault arc during reclosing of the breakers. Through this investigation, a test procedure appropriate for the testing SPS relays has been developed. The test procedure includes power system modeling for real time simulation, relay test setup, and test plan. HYPERSIM real-time simulator was used to model an actual power system. Transmission lines, three-winding transformers, and induction motor were modeled with actual parameters. Models for fault arc in HYPERSIM real time simulator were developed. Test set-up for evaluating relay performance and wiring drawings for connecting relay in closed-loop to the simulator were developed.

L'objectif de cette thèse est de déterminer l'impact de la distraction du conducteur et de la consommation d'alcool, ainsi que leurs interactions, sur les performances des conducteurs novices. Des mesures subjectives des comportements à risques et des performances objectives sur simulateur de conduite sont recueillies. Une première expérience étudie les déterminants psycho-sociaux de la prise de risque et le type de comportements à risques rapportés par les jeunes conducteurs. La seconde expérience s'intéresse aux performances lors d'une tâche d'attention divisée sur simulateur de conduite en fonction de l'expérience, de l'âge et du type d'apprentissage suivi. Enfin, la troisième expérimentation a pour objectif d'étudier l'impact de faible et forte dose d'alcool sur les performances de jeunes conducteurs, novices et expérimentés, lors d'une tâche d'attention divisée. Ces recherches permettent d'approfondir nos connaissances sur les mécanismes d'actions de la distraction et de l'alcool sur les performances du conducteur, en particulier des novices. / The aim of this thesis is to investigate the effects of driver distraction by a secondary task, alcohol consumption and their interaction on performance depending on driving experience. Objective and subjective measures are recorded. The first experience studies the determinants of risk-taking and the kind of risky driving behaviour recalled by young drivers. Differences depending on driving experience, sex, and initial training show an increment of driving risk-taking for young drivers with 3 years of driving experience and with traditional training. The aim of the second experiment is to study the effects of a divided attention task on performance depending on driving experience, age and initial training. Novice drivers have more difficulties to divide their attention between two tasks than experienced drivers, notably when one of these tasks is complex or located in peripheral vision. The third experiment studies the negative impact of alcohol (low and high doses) on young drivers' performances, novice and experienced, during a divided attention task. The classical detriment effect of alcohol on driving performance is replicated, and this effect is more pronounced for novice drivers who adopt a risky driving behaviour under the influence of alcohol, even with a low dose of alcohol. This research improves our fundamental knowledge on how distraction and alcohol impair drivers' performance, notably when they are novice.

Cette thèse présente le produit d'un projet de recherche doctoral ambitieux qui a procédé à la réalisation des premières étapes cruciales de conception, développement et évaluation d'un test de mesure de l'impact de la distraction du conducteur (DDIAT). L'objectif de ce test est de mesurer l'impact que la distraction du conducteur a sur les performances de conduite et les comportements du conducteur. En outre, une présentation sera effectuée des étapes majeures qui restent encore à réaliser, et qui dépassent le cadre de cette thèse, pour entièrement valider et implémenter le test. Le DDIAT est composé de trois épreuves de conduite ou Drives (Drive 1, 2 et 3), qui ont été conçues à partir des principes de la littérature de la cognition et de l’attention. Les épreuves Drive 1 et Drive 2 ont été implémentées dans un environnement de conduite urbain et elles incluent des conditions de feux de circulation qui ont été conçues pour ressembler aux feux de circulation rencontrés dans des conditions de conduite réelles. De plus, l'épreuve Drive 1 inclut des scénarios de traversée d’une file de véhicules pour tourner à gauche à une intersection (gap acceptance), dans lesquels les participants doivent prendre la décision cruciale de sélectionner un intervalle entre deux véhicules pour traverser. L'épreuve Drive 2 inclut plusieurs instances de suivi de véhicule, dont certaines où le véhicule suivi freine brutalement et où le participant doit réagir de manière appropriée pour éviter une collision frontale. Enfin, l'épreuve Drive 3 a été conçue pour implicitement mesurer la conscience de la situation dans un environnement de conduite autoroutier, mais cette épreuve n'a pas été entièrement implémentée dans le cadre de cette thèse. Les épreuves Drive 1 et Drive 2 ont été évaluées dans une expérimentation sur un simulateur de conduite avancé. Les résultats de cette évaluation expérimentale ont montré que les deux épreuves Drive 1 et Drive 2 étaient capables de : a) représenter la conduite réelle (c.-à-d., elles vérifient la validité de contenu et la validité apparente), b) mesurer l'impact de la distraction du conducteur et c) de faire la distinction entre les deux tâches secondaires (l'une visuelle/manuelle, l'autre auditive/cognitive) à travers leur impact sur les performances de conduite. En conclusion, le travail complété dans le cadre de cette thèse constitue les premières étapes cruciales nécessaires au développement d'un DDIAT complet qui surpasse les limitations des outils et tests précédents et fournit également les bases d'une méthode standardisée pour aider à surpasser les incohérences qui existent entre les différentes études de mesure de l'impact de la distraction du conducteur. / This thesis describes the outcomes of an ambitious doctoral research program that carried out the initial critical steps in the design, development, and evaluation of a driver distraction impact assessment test (DDIAT). The purpose of this test has been to assess the impact driver distraction has on driving performance and driver behaviour. The thesis also describes the critical steps, beyond the scope of this thesis, that remain to be carried out in order to fully validate and implement the complete DDIAT proposed in this thesis. As part of the DDIAT proposed in this thesis, three Drives (Drive 1, 2, and 3) were designed and created from basic attention principles and by using a complex experimental design. Drive 1 and Drive 2 were implemented in an urban driving environment and included traffic light conditions that were designed to resemble real world traffic light conditions. Furthermore, Drive 1 included gap acceptance events in which participants had to make a crucial and important decision when selecting a gap to turn left though an oncoming stream of vehicles. Drive 2 included various car following instances and lead vehicle braking events, whereby participants had to react suddenly to avoid a frontal collision. Lastly, Drive 3 was designed to implicitly measure situation awareness on a highway driving environment – but was outside of the scope of the thesis to investigate. Drive 1 and Drive 2 were evaluated in an experiment implemented in an advanced driving simulator. The results from this evaluation experiment showed that both Drive 1 and Drive 2: a) represent real world driving (i.e., have content and face validity); b) are capable of measuring the impact of driver distraction; and c) are capable of distinguishing between the impact on driving of two secondary tasks (one visual/manual, the other auditory/cognitive). In conclusion, the work completed as part of this thesis provided a first and important step towards the development of a complete DDIAT that overcomes the shortcomings of previous tests and tools and also provides the beginnings of a standardised method to assist in overcoming the inconsistencies that exist across studies in the measurement of driver distraction.

A partir de la conception d'un simulateur dans le domaine de la kinésithérapie respiratoire, il a été cherché à connaître les conditions pour que la réingénierie de la formation des masseurs-kinésithérapeutes favorise un développement professionnel de qualité, conformément à la loi n° 2002-303 du 4 mars 2002 relative aux droits des malades et à la qualité du système de santé. La recherche documentaire a permis d'inscrire les travaux dans le champ de l'anthropologie du développement des adultes. Puis, une analyse de pratique professionnelle de cinq experts kinésithérapeutes a été effectuée pour identifier les savoirs mobilisés au cours de leurs pratiques et les didactiser. Enfin, une étude auprès de cent cinquante-sept masseur-kinésithérapeutes a repéré la représentation de la notion de qualité en santé de ceux-ci. Les résultats font apparaître les schèmes qui structurent l'action des experts et l'importance du raisonnement clinique pour passer d'une compétence d'exécution à une compétence d'adaptation indispensable à la qualité des soins et à la sécurité du patient. Il est montré que les représentations des masseurs-kinésithérapeutes en matière de qualité en santé pourraient faciliter ce changement de compétence. Les résultats de la thèse montrent que, pour développer les compétences nécessaires d'adaptation des professionnels, la production des savoirs en masso-kinésithérapie, la didactisation et l'enseignement de ceux-ci doivent être réalisés par des enseignants-chercheurs. Les travaux de recherche en masso-kinésithérapie doivent se dérouler au sein de laboratoires dédiés, dans le cadre d'une discipline universitaire en masso-kinésithérapie. / From the conception of a simulator in the infant respiratory physiotherapy domain, we searched the ideal conditions to bring the re-ingeneering training of physiotherapists to support a good professional development, in accordance with the law 2002-303 of march 4th, 2002, concerning the patients' rights and the quality of the health system. The documentary research permitted to identify the work as the adults development anthropology sector.A professional practical analysis of five physiotherapist experts was then realized in order to identify the knowledge that was used during the practice and to didactise it. Finally, their representation of the health quality notion was noticed in a survey realized with a hundred and fifty seven physiotherapists. The study results show the schemes that build the experts' actions and the importance of the clinical reasoning to move from an accomplishment skill to an adjustment skill necessary for the aid's quality and the patients' security. It was showed that the physiotherapists' representations concerning the health quality could make the change easier. The thesis results show that in order to develop the necessary adaptation skills of the professionals, the production of knowledge in physiotherapy, the didactisation and the teaching of these must be realized by researchers' instructors. The research in physiotherapy must occur in dedicated laboratories, in a university discipline context in physiotherapy

The main goal of this thesis is to create management flight simulator for inventory management in selected company. The proposed management simulator is developed in the context of the taxonomy of decision support systems. It is a model-oriented system based on the models proposed by me and created a user interface. In this particular situation the application is realized on company Dynavix, that is a manufacturer of navigations. After opening theoretic information about models, computer technologies for systems modeling and individual phases of simulation process, there follows a case study. It is trying to find and recommend appropriate solutions of fluctuations in the need for planning the purchase of navigation Dynavix by using a system dynamics approach (developed model and its testing). The recommended solution is verified by testing hypotheses according to a predefined test scenarios.